For the last Slow Jam Saturday of the year, I wanted to highlight one of the most underrated voices in music, Mr. Kevin Ross, and his recently released single “This Winter”.
When I started my website, the essence of Slow Jam Saturday was always to celebrate tracks that resonate—melodies that don’t just aim to capture a fleeting moment but instead claim a lasting presence. Kevin Ross’ “This Winter” exemplifies this tradition perfectly.
It isn’t a festive tune designed to drown out the seasonal hustle and bustle; instead, it quietly draws you in, dims the lights, and reminds us why R&B has long been associated with intimacy, especially during cuffing season.
As an acclaimed singer-songwriter and one of today’s most dependable voices in modern R&B, Kevin Ross delivers “This Winter” with both subtlety and confidence. The song unfolds gradually, anchored by a seemingly simple refrain – “all I need is love for Christmas”—which resonates not just as a catchy phrase but as wisdom gained over time. Ross skillfully avoids exaggerating the emotion, allowing it to flourish naturally.
The enduring quality of this track evokes classic soul without merely falling into nostalgia. The melody exudes a cozy warmth, much like sitting by a fire. Simultaneously, his vocal delivery flows smoothly, creating a cinematic impact—personal enough to feel intimate yet polished enough to fill any space. This is the balance Ross has mastered throughout his career.
When Ross claims the song is about love being the greatest gift, it doesn’t come across as a mere promotional line. It feels genuine. “This Winter” conveys the message that the holidays aren’t about spectacle; they’re about connection with those you hold close. Who are you thinking about when the world slows down?
In a season crowded with novelty records, “This Winter” feels built for return visits. Not just this year, but the next one—and the one after that.
Final Grade: B+
“This Winter” is available on all streaming platforms.
My introduction to Nate Dogg goes back to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut, The Chronic, and the song “Deeez Nuuuts.” Even then, something about Nate’s voice set him apart from everybody else. He wasn’t just singing on rap records. He was bringing soul, gospel, street knowledge, and West Coast cool into the same space. He set the standard for hook singers in hip-hop, and dare I say, he’s still vastly underrated.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Stevie Wonder his due as he prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Songs in the Key of Life,” on tour. While the easy choice could have been “Knocks Me Off My Feet”—a classic that still resonates fifty years later—I chose “From the Bottom of My Heart,” the second single from his twenty-third studio album, “A Time to Love,” released in 2005.
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.